To those of you who have 2 or more dogs?

[carlos33]

Hi guys,

Well for ages now we have been thinking about getting willow a ''sister'', and have been asked if we would like a labrador cross golden retreiver. I know each breed is a fantastic breed but has anybody ever known them cross?
I guess i'd also like to know how you guys with more than one dog find it? ie..playing in the house, walks etc.. we have only ever had one dog at a time other than when i was younger.
Willow is a fantastic dog and we believe we have done a great job so far with the help of you guys so all info/help/advise would be great.

Thanks

Gemma 

[Sweetypye]

The labrador/golden retriever cross is the breeding that the GDBA have found to be the most succesful combination overall in guide dogs, so that speaks for itself.

I exercise/socialise the dogs separately for most of the time during the first six months.

[carlos33]

Thanks for the reply sweetypye, why do you exercise/socialise seperatley for the first 6 months? is easier to train that way? sorry for all the questions i just need to make sure i have all my facts 

[Sweetypye]

For many reasons:

1 I want the pup to bond with me rather than the other dog
2 I want the dog to have experiences on its own without being influenced by the other dog.
3 Two dogs = a pack, and two dogs, like two kids, can "gang up" and behave in an inappropriate way
4 Exercise must be restricted in the first year for pups to minimise the risk of injury
5 It is easier for a dog to learn in a 1:1 situation

Never apologise for asking questions.

[Val]

Agree with what SP says but I tend to carry on with one to one on and off for a year even if the pup and I just walk round the block.
I am not fond of the cross as most are not eye tested or hip scored.
The GDBA have their own kennels of dogs and know what they are doing pet breeders do not on the whole have a clue, as both breeds have health issues If it was me I would have one or the other breed unless they were health checked or at the very least off health tested parents
Val
PS I have no idea what it is like to own only one dog was born into a house of four Roughs and it's been around the same numbers ever since I am on six at the moment but have never owned less than three LOL
Val

[carlos33]

Lots of fantastic advise its greatly appreciated 

I had thought of the cross breeding and not been tested etc.. as we got willow from a fantastic breeder and line of goldies i had always thought if we decided to get another dog we would go back to joan willows breeder. We have had no problems with willow we couldnt have asked for a better dog really. I dont believe the parents of the pups have been health checked or even know if they have papers so i guess its not a risk me or carl are willing to take. I knew if i posted on here someone would throws some advise at me that i was already quering.
So i think its a no to the cross pup but all the advise will be great if we decide to get a pup from joan nxt summer.

Which throws another question in, willow will be 2 in may is this a good age to introduce a new puppy?

Wow val 6 dogs they'll keep you busy 

[Val]

Two is an ideal time to get another pup as the first would be trained you will find the next one so easy, not because Willow is difficult but because she will do half the training of the new pup.
If you are happy with Willows breeder then why not go back, I love the Willowmead beardies so that was why I went back to the Willowmead both for breeding (stud dog) and buying
Good Luck
Val

[Diesel73]

Agree with what SP says but I tend to carry on with one to one on and off for a year even if the pup and I just walk round the block.

I'm about the opposit. We do just about everything together.

1 I want the pup to bond with me rather than the other dog
2 I want the dog to have experiences on its own without being influenced by the other dog.
3 Two dogs = a pack, and two dogs, like two kids, can "gang up" and behave in an inappropriate way
4 Exercise must be restricted in the first year for pups to minimise the risk of injury
5 It is easier for a dog to learn in a 1:1 situation

(just to explain why i do it different..)
1- got to meet the first pup that doesn't bond with me most. So i have no experience with pup bonding more with my other dog, yet.
2- i don't mind that. But so far i didn't have a bad example elder dog.
3-i don't mind that. Stupid explenation perhaps, but it is why i don't care.
4-I take the eldest, wife always takes little pup and heads home when it has had enough. So no problemo there for me either. Now it's the other way round. Wife takes the eldest home sooner because he get's tired much faster since he had the stroke.
5-Accept when i need more attention or my pup is little difficult, than i take him on alone. Than again, iwhen teaching them how to herd i find it very convenient to have an example dog to show off and correct the pup when he's out of my reach. 

If you are happy with Willows breeder then why not go back

I completely agree! I would give an arm and legg to have another pup of Wodan's breeder. But it was impossible  . That's why i HAD to have Diesel (few of the same ancestors  .)

[SuzAndTheDiva]

Ive never actively done stuff seperate with Dexter - but saying that he goes ringcraft with me on his own and if we went somewhere he hadntbeen before id often take him on his own , only problem i have is he hates being left at home alone - fine with Honey there but on his own.......... my bad and were working on that!

Otherwise, all i can say is i will be getting a third before dex is 10 like Honey was when i got him - the age gap is a bit much specially as shes quite a sedate girl and sleeps quite a bit - she dont play enough for him - on the other hand he was the model pup and im SURE its cos he had no one to learn bad behaviour off of - as in Honey generally doesnt have any bad habits and from day one hes slept quietly in the evenings and at night and im sure Honey helped with that - so not so much a bad thing thats shes that bit older i guess 

I cannot imagine just having one now though!

[Val]

Oh me too Diesel nothing like a good beardie for showing a pup how to work cattle
Val

 Than again, iwhen teaching them how to herd i find it very convenient to have an example dog to show off and correct the pup when he's out of my reach. 

[Izzie]

Ive never actively done stuff seperate with Dexter - but saying that he goes ringcraft with me on his own and if we went somewhere he hadntbeen before id often take him on his own , only problem i have is he hates being left at home alone - fine with Honey there but on his own.......... my bad and were working on that!

Otherwise, all i can say is i will be getting a third before dex is 10 like Honey was when i got him - the age gap is a bit much specially as shes quite a sedate girl and sleeps quite a bit - she dont play enough for him - on the other hand he was the model pup and im SURE its cos he had no one to learn bad behaviour off of - as in Honey generally doesnt have any bad habits and from day one hes slept quietly in the evenings and at night and im sure Honey helped with that - so not so much a bad thing thats shes that bit older i guess 

I cannot imagine just having one now though!

Can send Livs down once she over the kc 

[SuzAndTheDiva]

  haha Dex would love her Honey would hate her - as im guessing Livs wouldnt be too easy for her to boss about - and you know Honey - is why she likes Dex hes sooooooooooooooo easy to manipulate 

[Izzie]

She would respect Honey  :-*and play all day with Dex 

[SuzAndTheDiva]

Sounds perfect.....till i remember she moults white hair and DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOLS!!!!   

[Izzie]

Sounds perfect.....till i remember she moults white hair and DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOLS!!!!   

She isnt much of a drooler to be honest, I mean cubert is as walking waterfall, but Livs barely drools.

The white hair may be a problem though